Archway

A large terracotta bowl containing sand, votive candles and a Celtic cross

The season of Lent starts soon! Make time for your own prayers and reflections with a Lenten Quiet Day or retreat - there are dozens listed on our website, promotingretreats.org. Where will you go? #retreat #lent #prayer #quietday

An empty classroom with wooden chairs stacked upside down on top of the tables

Half term is fast approaching... Did you know that APR offers no-questions-asked bursaries for teachers to go on retreat at one of our member houses? Find out more on promotingretreats.org/bursary #retreat #bursary #teaching #halfteem

An image of a many-masted sailing ship sailing into a peaceful horizon at sunset

A retreat is an 'invaluable adventure [into God], full of new excitements and rewards for those willing to make the effort of exploration' (APR archive 1969). There are dozens of different types of retreat listed on our website, promotingretreats.org - where might you go? #retreat #prayer

The imposing building of Wydale hall set in formal gardens and seen from the air

In our cycle of prayer, we pray for Mark Rance (Warden), and for all who live, work or seek refreshment at Wydale Hall in Yorkshire. Why not join one of their private retreat days this spring - on 12 Feb, 25 March or 16 April? All info on www.wydale.org/events #retreat #prayer

A lady reading a book in a sunny garden

'A retreat is simply an oasis of peace and quiet in the hurley-burley of life, where ordinary people have time to think about God, themselves, and their lives, in an atmosphere of relaxation and freedom from chores' (APR archive 1966). Where might you go? promotingretreats.org #retreat #prayer

A collage of photos of speakers and groups of listeners at the 2024 spirituality conference

Every other year, the APR runs a diocesan Spiritual Wellbeing Conference at Launde Abbey. Please pray for the organisers of the 2026 Conference who meet today to prepare for the April event, which will also welcome contributions from @clergysupport.bsky.social
. #prayer #wellbeing #spirituality

Travel: Retreats with an environmental theme or ethos Alison MacTier offers a round-up of places to meet God in the natural world

#Travel Alison MacTier offers a round-up of places to meet God in the natural world

#retreats #environment

Look out for Launde Abbey, Scargill Movement, St Katharine's Retreat House, Parmoor, Association for Promoting Retreats, Llannerchwen, Whitchester Christian Centre, The Retreat Association & Sheldon Community in the Church Times retreats feature this week.

Travel: Family, fun, and faith in holiday retreat houses Christine Miles tries out one of several weeks offered at UK retreat houses during the school holidays for adults and children

"'I’m actually having a really nice time.' It is high praise from a teenager who’s here because she has to be."

#Travel Christine Miles tries out one of several weeks offered at UK retreat houses during the school holidays for adults and children

#retreats #familyholidays

A newspaper cutting showing the text above

Have you seen us in the Church Times this week? Might we be able to help you find a retreat or quiet day this year? promotingretreats.org #retreat #prayer #quietday

Also in the paper:

• #Travel - Read about journeys and retreats in our special travel issue ✈️
• #Comment - Richard Harries on whether life is worth prolonging for ever ✍️
• #Review - Susan Gray sees “Wright of Derby: From the Shadows” at the #NationalGallery 🎨

After an update on @retreats.uk from Alison MacTier, and an open discussion on some of the practical implications of managing retreat houses we headed off to Chiltern Valley Winery & Brewery for a private tour & tasting. Next up is our AGM.

A collage of photos of the Trustees of the Association for Promoting Retreats

Today our Trustees meet for the first time in 2026! Please keep us in your prayers as we look ahead to a busy year of events, and to expanding our outreach to help even more people experience the benefits of the stillness and silence found in retreat. Promotingretreats.org #retreat #prayer

A gathering of people standing round a table before sharing a meal together

More than a third of our members join APR in order to contribute to our Bursary Fund - which helps finance retreats for people who are unable to afford the full cost themselves. Could we help you too? Find out more on promotingretreats.org/bursary #retreat #bursary

Quiet Day led by the Revd Liz Palin

Our annual conference begins today at @retreatparmoor.bsky.social

A pile of Retreats handbooks, with autumn leaves on the cover

Have you planned your 2026 retreat yet? The new Retreats handbook lists dozens of retreats and events throughout the year - order a copy now on promotingretreats.org/resources #retreat #prayer #stillness

The inside of a conservatory chapel with sun streaming through the windows

'Thank you for creating a place of quietness, peacefulness, fellowship. Time away from routine, and a chance to reflect and spend time with God!' (feedback from a recent APR retreat). Would you like to feel this way? Where might you go? promotingretreats.org #retreat #thankful

Green shoots growing out from beneath a snowy field

Join a winter renewal day at Wydale Hall in Yorkshire on 3 Feb, and spend a day worshipping, receiving Bible teaching, praying and being prayed for. All info and bookings on www.wydale.org/events #retreat #renewal

Saving Country Houses with Penelope Keith Penelope follows country house owners as they strive to keep their historic homes intact

If you watch Saving Country Houses on Channel 4 you'll catch a glimpse of Archway member Brancepeth Castle

A teacher staring at an empty classroom

Are you a teacher in a Church of England school? Would you like time to rest, pray or take stock? Our Teachers' Bursary Scheme might be able to help you finance a retreat at one of our member houses. Find out more on promotingretreats.org/bursary - and share this post with your friends! #teaching

Check out the vacancies page on our website

Welcome to our newest member Sheldon Retreat www.sheldonretreat.com

We're looking forward to being at @retreatparmoor.bsky.social next week for our annual retreat & conference.

A dish of floating candles and yellow and pink flowers

Retreats are 'places of encounter, where creativity and imagination shine a light in the darkness and help us to notice a deeper reality' (Retreats 2026). There are dozens of new creative retreats listed on our website - where might you go? promotingretreats.org #retreat #creativity

The gabled frontage of the retreat house seen across a snowy driveway

In our cycle of prayer, we pray this week for Simon and Amanda Kimberley (Wardens), and for all who live, work or seek refreshment at Whitchester Christian Centre in the Scottish Borders. Why not join their next IGR retreat from 13-16 Feb? All info on www.whitchester.org.uk/retreats-and... #retreat

A puddly muddy track leading to the distance, with a gnarled oak tree in the hedge

Looking for direction as the New Year unfolds? Why not book a retreat to pray and reflect on the possibilities? There are dozens listed on promotingretreats.org... #prayer #retreat #newdirection

A map of the uk showing locations of retreat houses

It's never too early to book your next retreat - visit promotingretreats.org for dozens of listings throughout the year...

A pink sunrise over a still lake, with the silhouette of trees behind

Wishing all our Friends, Members and Followers a peaceful, prayerful and blessed 2026! It's never too early to book your next retreat - visit promotingretreats.org for dozens of listings throughout the year... #happynewyear #retreat

A picture of the retreats handbook with autumn trees on the cover

Make your 2026 retreat a priority by booking it now! Where might you go? Visit promotingretreats.org/where for inspiration, or buy a copy of the 2026 Retreats Handbook from promotingretreats.org/resources #retreat